This is my essay for Harvey Mudd's prompt: What influenced you to apply to Harvey Mudd College? What about the HMC curriculum and community appeals to you? (500 word limit) It is about 40 words too long and I don't feel like it is very personal. Don't be afraid to be harsh. Thanks!
Although I am uncertain of the specific role I will play in the scientific community one day, I have always known that science and engineering is the field of which I want to be a part. My freshman biology class sparked my interest in science and ever since, I have focused most of my attention on my technical classes. Additionally, I spent a lot of free time researching contemporary discoveries - staying up late reading a Stephen Hawking book or skimming through microbiology articles. As my high school career comes to a close, I have shifted this attention to determining the best institution at which to further my education. While some engineering colleges are better known or have endowments large enough to buy a small country, I hope to attend Harvey Mudd College instead. One of the things that draws me to Harvey Mudd is the type of majors offered. Some colleges offer upwards of 20 science and engineering majors, while HMC offers a modest nine. This might scare a prospective student who has already made up his mind that he wants to major in bio-nuclear engineering, but I would like to keep my options open. I like the idea of simply majoring in engineering or a science which would give me countless options for graduate school or careers.
Because I attended a high school where higher level science courses often only have fifteen to twenty students (from the 1,100 student body) sign up, I have seen the value of having different perspectives when tackling a problem. Every year, the few science enthusiasts in the school beg anyone to sign up for honors science courses just so that these classes will be offered. This often leads to a physics course with a few students who would much rather be playing their guitar or reading Shakespeare than calculating kinetic energy. But when I have worked in groups with them, I cannot count the number of times they have solved a problem that stumped the rest of us by simply interpreting it differently. The value of different perspectives is a huge reason I am applying to Harvey Mudd. While HMC is comprised only of STEM students, the fact that it is located in and collaborates with the entire Claremont Consortium appeals to me. Many engineering colleges are so homogeneous in the type of student they contain; they only have one perspective on numerous issues. Harvey Mudd's collaboration with the other Claremont Colleges allows for a diverse academic environment that encourages multiple viewpoints.
The final piece in the puzzle of the perfect college for me is the ability to research as an undergraduate. Taking notes during Power Point presentations and lectures is important, but the basis of all learning is applying the concepts. This is why I would be excited to undertake a clinic project and capstone research project with a group of my peers. I think the way Harvey Mudd approaches undergraduate research is perfect for preparing me to be a part of the scientific community. Harvey Mudd's broad-based majors, the Claremont community, and the research opportunities available are why I believe Harvey Mudd is the best place for me to continue my education; and the location doesn't hurt either.
Although I am uncertain of the specific role I will play in the scientific community one day, I have always known that science and engineering is the field of which I want to be a part. My freshman biology class sparked my interest in science and ever since, I have focused most of my attention on my technical classes. Additionally, I spent a lot of free time researching contemporary discoveries - staying up late reading a Stephen Hawking book or skimming through microbiology articles. As my high school career comes to a close, I have shifted this attention to determining the best institution at which to further my education. While some engineering colleges are better known or have endowments large enough to buy a small country, I hope to attend Harvey Mudd College instead. One of the things that draws me to Harvey Mudd is the type of majors offered. Some colleges offer upwards of 20 science and engineering majors, while HMC offers a modest nine. This might scare a prospective student who has already made up his mind that he wants to major in bio-nuclear engineering, but I would like to keep my options open. I like the idea of simply majoring in engineering or a science which would give me countless options for graduate school or careers.
Because I attended a high school where higher level science courses often only have fifteen to twenty students (from the 1,100 student body) sign up, I have seen the value of having different perspectives when tackling a problem. Every year, the few science enthusiasts in the school beg anyone to sign up for honors science courses just so that these classes will be offered. This often leads to a physics course with a few students who would much rather be playing their guitar or reading Shakespeare than calculating kinetic energy. But when I have worked in groups with them, I cannot count the number of times they have solved a problem that stumped the rest of us by simply interpreting it differently. The value of different perspectives is a huge reason I am applying to Harvey Mudd. While HMC is comprised only of STEM students, the fact that it is located in and collaborates with the entire Claremont Consortium appeals to me. Many engineering colleges are so homogeneous in the type of student they contain; they only have one perspective on numerous issues. Harvey Mudd's collaboration with the other Claremont Colleges allows for a diverse academic environment that encourages multiple viewpoints.
The final piece in the puzzle of the perfect college for me is the ability to research as an undergraduate. Taking notes during Power Point presentations and lectures is important, but the basis of all learning is applying the concepts. This is why I would be excited to undertake a clinic project and capstone research project with a group of my peers. I think the way Harvey Mudd approaches undergraduate research is perfect for preparing me to be a part of the scientific community. Harvey Mudd's broad-based majors, the Claremont community, and the research opportunities available are why I believe Harvey Mudd is the best place for me to continue my education; and the location doesn't hurt either.
